May 31, 2019 2 min read

Charleroi Area School Board approved a $25,171,000 preliminary budget for the 2019-20 school year, with the possibility of a tax increase.

Taxes might be increased by 0.5569 mills, which results in a projected millage rate of 16.9375, but the board could still make adjustments before it votes on the final budget June 25.

Next year, Charleroi Area School District will see increases for salaries, benefits, health care and cyber tuition, board members said. District officials will also be adding a Math EC program and a family advocate.

During the board’s monthly meeting on Tuesday, Superintendent Ed Zelich also announced that the Pittsburgh Business Times recently recognized Charleroi Area School District as a top 10 overperforming district in the region. Charleroi Area School District ranked 10th out of 106 regional school districts.

“The overachiever rank makes this honor even more prestigious,” said Zelich. “Approximately 54.7 percent of our students are economically disadvantaged, which demonstrates that our district is outperforming academic expectations.”

In other news, the board:

• Approved the PA Educator.net contract, in the amount of $1,750, and approved a consortium agreement with Colonial Alternative School for two slots,
• at an approximate cost of $14,000 per slot
• Appointed Charlie Yakich and Elaine Pappasergi as voting delegates for the 2019 PSBA Delegate Assembly meeting
• Recognized Sandy Todaro, who is retiring as a cook for the district

In addition, Zelich announced that he has been appointed to serve on the board of directors for the Fayette County Drug & Alcohol Commission.